Very near the end of the road where the Na Pali Coast begins on Kauai’s north shore you will find one of Hawaii’s nicest beaches. Makua Beach, commonly known as Tunnels due to its many underwater caves and caverns, offers a spectacular backdrop of verdant mountains as well as a fringing reef offshore creating an idyllic inner lagoon area for swimming and snorkeling. The scenic beauty of Makua is unforgettable!

Palms and ironwood trees backing the beach provide shady areas nice for relaxing on the deep, golden sands, which by the way hold plenty of seashells making Makua great for beachcombing.

Our signature photo of “Bali Hai” is Makua Beach with Mount Makana in the background.

Ocean Activities at Makua Beach

A variety of ocean activities are enjoyed at this picture-perfect beach from kite surfing to surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddle boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling and more. The magical underwater world at Tunnels makes it one of Kauai’s finest snorkeling and scuba diving beaches when the water is calm, which is typically during the summer months.

Just outside the coral reef at Makua is one of Kauai’s best surfing breaks which most locals refer to as Tunnels as well. When the surf is large, which is typically during the winter months, expert surfers ride giant “barrels” here where the waves are renowned for their hollow tube-like shape.

If you work up an appetite during your Makua Beach adventure there is usually a food truck at the adjacent Haena Beach Park where you can grab a snack or sample some fresh coconut milk right from the coconut. Just down the road is Limahuli Garden where you can learn about native plants, as well as the scenic Ke’e Beach and the beginning of the trail to Hanakapiai Valley and the Na Pali Coast.

Always Make Ocean Safety a Top Priority

Currents can be strong at Makua during times of high surf making swimming hazardous. Check with the lifeguards at Haena Beach Park about ocean conditions and safety tips. Whenever visiting a Kauai beach make sure to follow all Kauai Ocean Safety precautions.

Also please feel free to give us a call. The Bali Hai Realty staff will be happy to help you find the perfect Kauai property, home or vacation rental, and we can assist you in the process of buying or selling a Kauai home or land.